The Weekend in Sports: Texas Softball Breaks Through, A French Open Classic and Omaha is Almost Set

One of the greatest things in sports is when you get to see a team get over the hump. The heartbreak, the toiling, and the disappointment a team or athlete experiences can be painful to watch at times. Sometimes it’s physically uncomfortable. But it’s a necessary part of the journey—the time spent knocking on the door with no answer. Even the greatest of the greats went through it. Everyone has to pay their due.

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I’m sure there were times Mike White’s Texas Softball team doubted if they could actually win a championship, even if they didn’t admit it out loud. How could they not? After losing to Oklahoma in two of three finals. After all, some teams never climb the proverbial mountain and are stuck in a perpetual ascent. Like Sisyphus, they’re doomed to push the boulder up the hill forever. Each time you think they’ve ascended, it rolls back down.

Texas Softball had plenty of those moments this year. A sweep at Oklahoma. Being a run away from elimination against Clemson. Trailing against Oklahoma, and then several times against Texas Tech in the Finals. But the Longhorns were made better because of their previous failures. They got over the hump, and it was a joy to watch. Seeing the UT Tower lit with a number one never gets old. In the past few years, Longhorn fans have gotten to see Texas Volleyball and Softball win titles after several years of disappointment. Now, it’s Steve Sarkisian and Texas Football’s turn to do the same thing.

Sinner Falls Short of Glory

Speaking of a journey up the mountain—the French Open was an absolute thriller filled with every emotion one can experience in sports. Carlos Alcaraz rallied from two sets down to win an epic five-set match against Jannik Sinner. The match lasted five hours and 29 minutes. Glory for Alcaraz. Agony for Sinner.

The Stanley Cup is 1–1 and in Familiar Territory

I’m not a hockey fan, but I watched almost all of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup between Edmonton and Florida. The Panthers won a classic in double OT, and now the series goes back to Miami. Last year, the Oilers lost to the Panthers in 7 games after being down 0–3. It was a comeback that was for naught. When I mentioned the physical discomfort a fan can feel in witnessing sports heartbreak, I have some of that when thinking about the Oilers on ice.

They have one of the greatest players of all time in Connor McDavid. I’ve been told he is a cross between Brian Boitano, Sidney Crosby, and Kyrie Irving. Yeah, chew on that one!

They also have Leon Draisaitl, which would be like if the Chiefs also had Josh Allen at quarterback and somehow figured out a way to play him and Patrick Mahomes together. Yet, the Stanley Cup still eludes Edmonton. We’ll see if they can get over the crest of the mountain.

1–1 in the NBA Finals, But Is Anyone Watching?

Game One of the NBA Finals was an absolute classic with a Tyrese Haliburton shot for the ages. Game Two was about what you’d expect when you understand the rhythm of these series. But now the series shifts to –

What is a horseshoe?

What does a horseshoe do?

Are there any horse socks?

Is anyone listening to me?

Aaron Rodgers Is a Steeler.

Moving on.

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Omaha Is Almost Set

Seven teams have punched their ticket to Omaha and the College World Series. Murray State and Duke will face off today for the right to claim the final spot. I was disappointed in UTSA, who turned back into a pumpkin with an unimpressive showing against UCLA. Some might call Coastal Carolina a Cinderella story, but they won a national title in 2016. And they’re the hottest team in the country with 23 straight wins.

LSU and Arkansas will be the only representatives from the SEC this year, and they’ll play one another in their first game. But I think this is the year the Hogs are finally calling. Speaking of a team who has been trying to get over the hump for a long time.